Park district to seek more funds again

A $39 million tax increase referendum will appear on the November ballot

August 30, 2012|Jim Jaworski, Chicago Tribune reporter

After failing to convince the majority of voters to raise taxes in March, the Arlington Heights Park District will be giving it another shot - but will be asking for less.

The board voted 3-2 to put a $39 million tax increase referendum on the November ballot, a reduction from the $48 million March plan. Supporters argued the scaled-down referendum is needed, while the dissenting board members said it was too soon to try again.

"With the revisions, the lower cost and the close margin, I felt it was worth one more effort to see if voters would approve a lower dollar amount this time around," said park board President Maryfran Leno, who voted in favor of putting it back on the ballot.

Out of the more than 12,000 votes cast in March, the park district fell short by 641. The referendum was the result of a 2009 survey in which residents asked for improved facilities.

The scope of some of the work has been reduced, said Executive Director Steve Scholten. The plan will feature new community centers at Frontier and Recreation parks, with renovations or additions for buildings at Camelot, Heritage and Olympic parks. The current community center at Recreation Park would be converted to restrooms and showers.

While the referendum focuses on enhancements, Scholten said work would still need to be done if voters reject it for the second time this year. He estimates about $500,000 to $1 million needed for each of the five major community centers if the referendum fails. The buildings have only seen regular upkeep since they were built, he said, adding that the center in Recreation Park was built in 1939 while the facilities in Heritage and Frontier were built in 1969.

"They haven't seen (major renovations) since they were built," he said. "There would still be money that needs to be spent."

Meanwhile, the possible addition of a dog park, which has been sought by area owners because of the park district's long-standing ban on pets, is no longer being tied to the referendum, said Superintendent of Recreation Sue Gwinnup.

While the addition of a dog park to the referendum could, at least in theory, drive in more votes, the proposal will instead be placed in the future capital improvement project category. With the change, the fate of the dog park will not be directly connected to the success or failure of the referendum, but there is still no guarantee it will be built.

"'Might' is the operative word here," Gwinnup said.

The two potential sites are Nickol Knoll Park and Melas Park. The intention is to not spend more than $400,000.